Tony Hale apologises for 'minimising' Jeffrey Tambor's 'verbal harassment' of Jessica Walter in train-wreck interview

'It is clear that my words, both said and unsaid, served to minimise Jessica’s pain'

Tony Hale is the latest Arrested Development cast member to issue an apology for a controversial interview which left co-star Jessica Walter in tears.

Walter - who plays Bluth matriarch Lucille in the sitcom - was partaking in a group New York Times interview with Hale, Jason Bateman, David Cross, Will Arnett and Alia Shawkat when she broke down remembering an incident in which she was “verbally harassed” by Jeffrey Tambor, who was also present.

Instead of reassuring her, however, Walter's male co-stars - including Hale and Bateman - can be heard suggesting Tambor's behaviour is “common” in the entertainment industry, with the latter deeming it “a breeding ground for atypical behaviour.” Hale, reportedly ignoring Walter's tears, is said to have stated: “We've all had moments” leading to yet another clarification from Walter.

“Not like that,“ she said. ”That was bad.”

Their words have since caused a backlash leading to apologies from both Bateman and now Hale, who expressed his regret over the situation on social media.

“I have reached out to Jessica personally to apologise,” he wrote. “Arrested Development is one of my families. Regardless of my intentions, it is clear that my words, both said and unsaid, served to minimise Jessica’s pain and for that, I am extremely sorry.”

Walter's male co-stars also drew criticism for failing to reassure their crying co-star. Instead, they can be heard attempting to explain away the upset caused by Tambor who was fired from the lead role of TV show Transparent earlier this year following claims of similar behaviour.

The only person who wades in to support Walter is Shawkat who responded to the aforementioned comments, saying: “But that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable. And the point is that things are changing, and people need to respect each other differently.”

Walter has since cancelled her interviews running in conjunction with the return of Arrested Development which arrives on Netflix on 28 May.

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